New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-22
A GOOD FRIEND,
Prom The Youths Companion.

The f0uths Companion
Ono day last autumn q miner, whose home 10 In
an adjoining county and who lives alone III sHlali
cabin situated In the foothills several miles from hio
nearest neighbor, reached home about dusk fion all
extended prospecting tour almost out and SICK.
lie removed the saddle and Birdie from his horse aha
turneu him loose ~ gIa@e anu entering hiy t Gaoin
threw himself upon his cot and soon feli mo
resuess sIumber from which he swoke late In tho
night with a raging fever. :, ,,.,
alone and without medicines IL might happen that
some neighbor would pass BY In the morning, but
there certainty that any person would call
Tor days or possibly weeks.
A realization OF his helpless condition aggravated
his disease, and tho poor man grew worse. N0fnIng
came, aud no unable TO leave his bed. His horse
his one faitniul friend and companion could be
heard by, evidently waiting Tor his coming.
An day long the animal remained within hearing
distance, and during the long tedious hours OF The
less tread, though conscious that some misfortune
had befaiien his master.
Daylight appeared at last, and the sick man made
effort to speak. The horse, hearing the welcome
voice, went 10 the door Of the cabin and pushing 1t
tho same time giving low whinny as much as to
say "What Is the mattorP TO which kindly inquiry
there was no response save moan OF distress
For moment or two the horse stared strangely
about seemingly bowildered, then quickly withdrew
and in few moments galloped rapidly away. As
the sound Of the feet died the sick man
felt though only friend and means OF relief
lost to him, and he shuddered at the thought
that he might fan into that never waking sleep before
any person could know that he III.
Tho nearest neshbor Of the sick man was ranch
man, whose home located the river about six
miles distant Onco and while this nrighbor rode
to the miners camp for short visit; but these
trips were made at Irregular Intervals and tere was
no certainty when would be there again.
The ranchman on the river had finished his break
fast and Just coming out OF HIS house when bis
attention attracted to q rideress horse coming
down the mountain road at a tremendous gallOp.
The horse did not slaokon his speed until he reached
the corysl Enclosure. Lear the house. He was
lecked with foam anu short Of breath, showing that
he had come from n distance and at unusual speed
The ranchman, knowing the horse, spoke to him
gently which the animal acknowledged by q loud
whlnny, at the same tine running restlcssy up and
pnnAt ,y he frQI he
preached the horse which, however, would not suffer
itself TO captured, but galoped of toward Its home,
stopping at short distance and looking back with
evident anxiety.
Tho ranchman returned TO the corral when tho
horse again gaIloped down the rO4d and moved I'M
easily about as n determined to attract attention.
whinnying and occasionally giving a loud snort as
though frightened.
was q very gentle creature succeeded no better than
the first, the animal avoiding the man In manner
hitherto unknown The horse up the road
again and called to the man to follow-called TO hin
by every dumb sign almost as plainly as though be
were possessed Of tho power Of speech.
Tbese unusual proceedings so impressed the ranch
man that he ielt that something was wrong Could
10 be that taena Geo ge-as the miner and owner Vi
Maybe he had been murdered In bis lonely cabin by
"risler" had accidentally fallen into the soaft oil
his mine without the means OF escape
The strange conduct OF the horse lnnIcaton tnat
something unu~,nl had happened, and that was
enough TO prompt the rancbman 10 speedy action
Calling ono OF his assIstapts tho men quickly saddied
two OF the best horsos on the place, ana socu,iiN
their revolvers 10 guard against danger ana pro'iun
some medicine and stmutants TO uee IN case o
emergency they roae rapidly away In the direction oil
0aiena Georges cabin.
Georges bopas. observing this movement, mani
festsd grca& pleasure and started On gallop towa